Yesterday was the first time on the auto-x course since I bought my MY00 about three months ago. It had what I believe were the original tires and I did one session at a track event on them. After the track event I was surprised by how easy it was to induce oversteer but that was on some ageing rear tires. Well, I just got some new S02's for the rear and I am SHOCKED at how well they stick and how progressive the breakaway is.

I have a feeling that the 3 year old front tires are useless eventhough they have a good amount of tread because on the auto-x course I was getting understeer. I can see dry rot cracking between the treads. Note that the car is 100% stock.

Anyway, the car was a blast to auto-x. Coming from one season's experience while driving a 94 civic hatch with many bolts ons and a B16 swap, the S2000 kicks total ass in stock form! It felt very nuetral and the oversteer was mild and controlable. Quite the contrary from what I was expecting after reading all the talk about it's squirrellyness.

I went with a friend type r driver who had competitive times last season and my times were up a second so if I use that as a benchmark, I'll be very pleased as the season progresses considering this was my first auto-x even driving the S.


Just had to share.

 

Great to hear you're having so much fun! The S2000 is a great car to sling around.

Tyre rubber hardens with age and will only last 5 or so years when properly stored. Daily driven, that stuff stiffens to the point of the performance deterioration you're discovering.

Take a look at the tyre sidewall, you should find the manufacturing week/year on them near the DOT markings.

///Robin

 

Cool, I didn't know that a tire had a manufacture date on it. I'll have to check that out.